To celebrate our wedding anniversary, we decided to take a trip up the coast to Kaikoura (Maori for 'Meal of Crayfish') to get away for the night and give the Zed a good run. Weather was sunny and just warm enough (with heater on) to enjoy the top down.
First stop, the small town of Amberley, home of Charles Upham, the only combat soldier in history to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice (VC and Bar). Two British doctors have also achieved this award.
Then onward to Kaikoura, a beautiful town nestled between the Southern Alps and the sea. A great drive with some twisty bits and postcard scenery.
Once at Kaikoura, we headed to the Ohau Pt Waterfall (a five minute walk from the highway), where baby seals spend their day playing in the pools while their parents are out fishing. This is an amazing place with no barriers between the seals and visitors (and it's free). All you have to do is show a bit of common sense and not try to pet the seals (cute they may be, but they're wild and can bite), or poke them with sticks, etc. Sadly, common sense is a rare commodity these days (I saw tourists doing both 'no-no's'), so now there is a DOC (Dept of Conservation) Ranger on duty to try to educate visitors and help protect the animals. It would be a shame to lose access to this terrific site.
On the other side of the highway, the adults rest on the rocks after a hard day's fishing...
I think any car would look good with this scenery as a backdrop, but great views go well with the Z4
An overnight stay, then it was back home after a final farewell to Kaikoura
First stop, the small town of Amberley, home of Charles Upham, the only combat soldier in history to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice (VC and Bar). Two British doctors have also achieved this award.
Then onward to Kaikoura, a beautiful town nestled between the Southern Alps and the sea. A great drive with some twisty bits and postcard scenery.
Once at Kaikoura, we headed to the Ohau Pt Waterfall (a five minute walk from the highway), where baby seals spend their day playing in the pools while their parents are out fishing. This is an amazing place with no barriers between the seals and visitors (and it's free). All you have to do is show a bit of common sense and not try to pet the seals (cute they may be, but they're wild and can bite), or poke them with sticks, etc. Sadly, common sense is a rare commodity these days (I saw tourists doing both 'no-no's'), so now there is a DOC (Dept of Conservation) Ranger on duty to try to educate visitors and help protect the animals. It would be a shame to lose access to this terrific site.
On the other side of the highway, the adults rest on the rocks after a hard day's fishing...
I think any car would look good with this scenery as a backdrop, but great views go well with the Z4
An overnight stay, then it was back home after a final farewell to Kaikoura
North Yorkshire
enjoyed the pics 
